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Published on: September 10, 2016
New insertion sequence in Lactobacillus fructivorans strains isolated from spoiled sake
Yasuhiko Wada1, Haruhiko Mizoguchi
1General Research Laboratory, Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Co Ltd, 1-8-6 Uozaki-Nishimachi, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. y-wada@kikumasamune.co.jp
Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering
|July 5, 2007
Summary
Researchers identified a novel insertion sequence, ISLfr1, in alcohol-loving Lactobacillus fructivorans strains. This sequence may alter lipid metabolism and aids in detecting these specific bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Lactobacillus fructivorans exhibits alcoholophilic strains with unique metabolic characteristics.
- Understanding the genetic basis of alcohol tolerance in bacteria is crucial for industrial applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genetic differences between standard and alcoholophilic strains of Lactobacillus fructivorans.
- To characterize a novel insertion sequence found in alcoholophilic strains.
- To explore the role of genetic elements in the unique physiology of alcohol-tolerant bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Genomic subtraction was employed to identify unique DNA fragments in alcoholophilic L. fructivorans.
- Characterization of insertion sequences using primer walk sequencing.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification for bacterial detection.
Main Results:
- A 1468-bp insertion sequence, named ISLfr1 and belonging to the ISL3 family, was identified in alcoholophilic strains.
- ISLfr1 was found inserted into an accC2 homolog in three strains, potentially affecting lipid metabolism.
- The accC2 gene, encoding acetyl-CoA carboxylase, plays a role in lipid metabolism and was found to be nonfunctional in one strain due to mutations.
- Concomitant PCR amplification of ISLfr1 and rDNA allows for specific detection of alcoholophilic L. fructivorans.
Conclusions:
- The insertion sequence ISLfr1 is a key genetic element associated with alcohol tolerance in L. fructivorans.
- Alterations in the accC2 gene, potentially influenced by ISLfr1, may contribute to the production of unusual acyl chains in alcoholophilic strains.
- PCR-based detection using ISLfr1 and rDNA provides a valuable tool for food engineering and quality control.
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